Sedona council approves binding-waiver enforcement for seven properties, declines to appeal court ruling so initiative can proceed to July 21 ballot

The Sedona City Council, meeting May 12, unanimously approved a measure described in the meeting as “resolution 20 26 dash o 7,” authorizing a binding-waiver enforcement covering seven properties named during an executive-session announcement.

Why it matters: Council members said the resolution implements enforcement at the properties listed earlier in the meeting and moved to allow a separate, election-related matter to proceed to voters on July 21 by not pursuing an appeal of a recent court ruling.

A councilor moved to approve the enforcement measure, stating, “I move to approve resolution 20 26 dash o 7, a binding waiver enforcement for the 7 listed properties,” and the motion was seconded and approved with all members recorded as voting in favor. The presiding officer confirmed the council was back in open session before the vote.

Shortly after, a councilor moved that, “based on legal clarity, due to the court decision on this matter, I moved the council not appeal the legal decisions so that this matter can move forward to the July 21 ballot.” That motion also passed with all members present voting aye. The council did not record individual roll-call votes at the motion point; the meeting record identifies the outcome as unanimous among members present.

The items considered in executive session and then in open session were introduced by the presiding officer with citations to state law and a list of property owners and APNs. The announcement named several entities and parcels, including 1555 Sedona LLC (APN 408-24-020C / 50 Stutz Bearcat Drive), HCMS LLC (APN 401-18-052 / 50 Ranger Road), two parcels listed to Michael T. Hughes (APNs 401-14-009 / 450 Jordan Road and 401-14-008 / 452 Jordan Road), JLOO LLC (APN 408-24-020D / Studs Bearcat Drive), Sefton Properties LLC (APNs including 408-24-020A and 408-24-020 / 2515 West State Route 89A), and a separate matter captioned Sedona v Safe Sedona Committee (CV 202680133). The presiding officer read statutory citations on the record in connection with the executive-session authority.

The council recessed into an executive session for legal consultation under the statutes cited and returned to open session to take the two formal motions. The meeting adjourned until 4:30 p.m.

What the record does not show: The transcript does not attach individual council member names to the motion votes at the time of the roll-call votes; the meeting noted members present and excused or joining later during roll call but recorded the motions’ outcomes without a roll-call tally by name in the public portion of the record.

Next steps: The enforcement resolution is effective per the council action; the matter the council declined to appeal will proceed toward placement on the July 21 ballot, per the council vote.